Who is Puja Khedkar ? Why is she in News ? Everything you need to know.

Puja Khedkar is a probationary IAS officer who has recently been involved in several controversies. Here are the key details about her case:

1. Forgery Allegations: Puja Khedkar has been accused of forging disability and OBC certificates to clear the civil services exam^{1 2}. This has led to multiple inquiries by the Maharashtra government and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
2. Misuse of Power: She was reported by the Pune District Collector, Suhas Diwase, for allegedly misusing her power and seeking special privileges not allowed for a probation officer ³. This led to her transfer from Pune to Washim district.
3. Harassment Complaint: In response to the allegations, Khedkar filed a harassment complaint against the Pune District Collector ⁴.
4. Training Suspension: Due to the ongoing investigations, her IAS training has been suspended, and she has been recalled to LBSNAA ⁵.
5. Family Involvement: Her mother, Manorama Khedkar, has also been arrested and remanded in police custody in connection with a land dispute case, where she allegedly threatened people with a gun⁶.

This case has garnered significant media attention and is still under investigation.